SENIOR SQUAD SEASON 2019/2020  – a Summary 

Leinster Rugby have confirmed the cessation of all provincial domestic fixtures so the season 2019/2020 is officially over.  There was a little doubt about the conclusion of competitions when last week, the IRFU issued a statement that all national competitions were ceasing, and there would be no promotion or relegation. The All Ireland League had not concluded.  Mullingar RFC play in the Leinster League and had earned promotion from Division 2A with all games played, the cup and medals presented before the end of February and all in the club preparing for Division 1B next season. However, Leinster Rugby have now confirmed that the winners of each Leinster League Division ARE PROMOTED, much to Mullingar RFC’s relief.

Ambitions were strong when Darren Brady took the captaincy at lasts years AGM. Dave Farrelly was newly appointed Chair of Rugby Development and he was impressed with last years senior head coach Thomas Campbell (TC); his knowledge of the players, his ambition for Mullingar RFC, and his experience (getting promotion to All Ireland League with two clubs, Dundalk and City of Armagh). TC set about getting his squad structure established, with huge support in both time and personal input from Club President Anthony Doolan who coaches the Under 18 squad. First things first, forwards coach Cormac Dunne was retained and defence coach Lemeki Vaipula was recruited, as player coaches with vast experience. Then a playmaker outhalf was recruited to assist as attack coach, and in Mitchell Millar from New Zealand – we had a new overseas player that ‘completed the jigsaw’.

Club Captain Darren Brady has seen the ups and downs of Mullingar RFC in the last 8 years. He leads by example and from the front, and when he speaks, the players listen. With two years in Division 1B sandwiched by three years either side in Division 2A, Darren has experienced both promotion and relegation. He has the full support of committed senior players such as ex captains Alan Brabazon and Daryl Quinn, and stalwarts of recent seasons Darrech Geraghty, Johnny Moran and Eoghan Moore. A great filip in early season was the return of Paul Maxwell from New Zealand.  Another important element was the arrival of talented youths turning 18 from the Club Youth section. We have had notable senior debuts from Brian Reidy, Stephen and Niall Derham, Cian Cleary and Petar Mitic. Add to the experience gained in the last couple of seasons by Youth Section graduates such as Sean Rock, Chris Fox, Aleksa Mitic, Ben and Aaron Glennon….. and there is every reason to be hopeful.

From the off, training numbers were excellent and the facilities at NGS Gym with Luke Finegan were a great help. So into the season and we had the usual early game nerves as to how things might click. TC gradually introduced structure so that every player knew what they had to do, with combined training including ALL senior players, i.e. 1^st XV, 2^nd XV, and Under 18s trained together with TC, Tony, Cormac and Lemeki - all on the same ‘page’. The signs were positive in terms of training, early hard work in the season and players buying into the squad culture. Promotion from Division 2A was the stated and tangible goal.

So we played Longford in the Midland League and lost, but very narrowly and late in the game. We then won a friendly away against Boyne, a team in Division 1B, which was encouraging. We then played Edenderry in the Midland League and had a good result, with Daire Conway impressing. We played the first game in the Leinster League away to Portlaoise in torrential rain, and won 11-5. The team defence was really good that day, which was becoming a hallmark. What was especially encouraging was the performance of young players and the mix of experience. Mitchell and Lemeki brought their own skills and experience in crucial positions. With Lemeki at 8, TC at 9, and Mitchell at 10 there was solid control where it mattered - on match day.

Wexford at home was a bonus point win, 7 tries scored. Next up was North Kildare away, and the side put in a good performance, but somehow managed to keep North Kildare in the game, partly by conceding yellow card penalties. We lost to a gut wrenching last minute try, losing 20 - 17 despite a three tries to two advantage. Ouch!  The seconds also lost narrowly despite playing very well, but there was a conscious declaration of intent from the whole squad to stick with the structure and work at improving. Early Leinster League Results (tries in brackets):

Portlaoise 5 (1) – Mullingar 11 (1)

Mullingar 45 (7) – Wexford 24 (3)

North Kildare 20 (2) – Mullingar 17 (3)

The North Kildare loss was a hard blow, but you often hear that sides learn more from a loss. Back to training, and with two wins and one loss so far, the die was yet to be cast. Better followed…..

Mullingar 60 (9) – Balbriggan 12 (2)

Edenderry 5 (1) – Mullingar 50 (8)

Newbridge 16 (1) – Mullingar 22 (3)

Mullingar 26 (4) – Coolmine 6 (0)

So halfway through the season at the end of November, Mullingar had gathered their composure, improved their defence to average 1 try a game, and were scoring tries. There was strong pressure from the seconds squad, who were also now winning games. In total 40 players have played for the 1^st Team Squad and range in age from a half dozen 18 year olds to a veteran of 49 (sorry Craig!). Seconds had selection issues for their substitutes bench – unheard of in the last few seasons.  Coolmine were within one game of catching us, and we had to visit them at home in the last game, so nothing was taken for granted. The bus was still moving:

Mullingar 31 (4) – Portlaoise 24 (4)

Wexford 11 (1) – Mullingar 19 (3)

We stayed top of Division 2A with two close wins. Then we had the Midland League Final in Roscrea over New Year, with a fine and convincing win against a strong Longford (Division 1B) team - against whom we had lost in September. Back to the Leinster League in the New Year:

Mullingar 41 (6) – North Kildare 20 (2)

Balbriggan 17 (3) – Mullingar 31 (5)

Mullingar 43 (7) – Edenderry 7 (1)

Coolmine 21 (3) – Mullingar 34 (5)

Mullingar 48 (6) – Newbridge 28 (4)

So, after a season of huge commitment from the full senior squad, we are promoted to Division 1B. After 3 years in Division2A, we can look forward to Division 1 rugby again next season. The seconds XV had a tremendous last minute win against Newbridge to come third in their league (and only one point off second placed Newbridge) so a solid season and a great squad ‘atmosphere’. Well Done All.

The Provincial Towns Cup first round brought Boyne RFC to Mullingar in March 1^st. Having won the Division 2A of the Leinster League and the Midland League,  Mullingar had reason to be optimistic of a good cup run, even if Boyne area Division 1B team. Mullingar have not had a good record in this great trophy in recent years, but this squad got the long sought after but thoroughly deserved Provincial Towns Cup win in fine style with a five try win over Boyne: Mullingar 35 – Boyne 5. With good numbers in vocal support and both teams having a long tradition in this historic competition, there was a fair bit of tension in the air om the day. Great celebration followed, with a lovely mixture of young players getting their first taste of Towns Cup rugby and some of the old guard savouring their first Towns Cup glory after many a near miss in recent years.

Team: 1. Darren Brady (Captain) 2. Aleksa Mitic 3. Johnny Moran 4. Daryl Quinn 5. Darrech Geraghty 6. Paul Maxwell 7. Cormac Dunne 8. Lemeki Vaipula 9. Thomas Campbell 10. Mitchell Miller 11. Dave Lynam 12. Daire Conway 13. Alan Brabazon. 14.  Aaron Glennon 15. Sean Rock

Subs: 16. Chris Fox 17. Brian Reidy 18. Luke Finegan 19. Niall Derham,20. Donal McGovern

Mullingar were drawn away to Gorey RFC on March 15^th in the last 16 of the Towns Cup wiith the seconds drawn in their cup against Edenderry at home on the same weekend.  The whole club was looking forward to a good run in both cup competitions. Unfortunately Covid 19 led to firstly the postponement of those games, and then the postponement of all Leinster provincial  competitions. With a last farewell to Mitchell Millar who returned to New Zealand after a fine contribution to the club, the season is now over - but what a season!  Work has begun for the 2020/2021 season and if we can keep this squad together, both coaches and players, and possibly add to it with some youthful talent and returning immigrants, we should be optimistic to be fully competitive at the higher level.

The full 34 players making up the 1st team matchday squads during the Leinster League were:

Forwards (16): Darren Brady (Captain), Niall Derham, Cormac Dunne, David Faulkner, Luke Finnegan, Chris Fox, Darrech Geraghty, Paul Maxwell, Kilian McNay, Aleksa Mitic, Johnny Moran, Alan Naughton, Daryl Quinn, Brian Reidy, Kevin Smith, Lemeki Vaipula.

Backs (18): Alan Brabazon, Arthur Brabazon, Ryan Brennan, Cathal Burke, Thomas Campbell (TC), Cian Cleary, Daire Conway, Stephen Derham, Stuart Flynn, Aaron Glennon, Dave Lynam, Donal McGovern, Mitchell Millar, Petar Mitic, Eoghan Moore, Sean Rock, Craig Swanson, Ronan Wallace.

A further 6 players were part of the squad who won the Midland League: 

Sean Casey, Evan Eivers, Daniel Gilleran, Darragh Lambe, Sean Loughlin and Ross Tormey.